Canterbury – Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock

Useful Information

PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Drive up Dyers Pass Road to the Sign of the Kiwi, turn south along Summit Road for about 8.5km until you reach the Gibraltar Rock car park.

CANTERBURY
Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock

Port Hills, CANTERBURY

Along the Port Hills, The Summit Road Society Inc has a network of reserves protected by QEII National Trust covenants. The Summit Road Society volunteers maintain public walking tracks through Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock, Ohinetahi Bush reserve, and Linda Woods Reserve. Please visit their website for an up-to-date status on the tracks: https://www.summitroadsociety.org.nz/.

The unobstructed views of Gibraltar Rock and over the Canterbury Plains from the public walkway are superb.

The covenants protect historical as well as visual landscape values, including the stone shed associated with the historic Heaton Rhodes Estate freshwater spring.

Home to an ancient kotukutuku and free fuchsia forest, Omahu Bush also has a diverse range of other native trees including matai, totara, kowhai, lancewoods and ribbonwoods. Dense groves of kanuka cover the lower areas with an abundance of silver ferns under the canopy.

Close to Christchurch, the combination of geological features, rich bird life and native vegetation provides a valuable natural resource for the public.

More information about enhancing, preserving and protecting the nature, beauty and open character of the Port Hills area including walking tracks through four other nearby covenants at Ohinetahi Bush, can be found on the Summit Road Society website.

Note: due to nearby grazing, dogs are not permitted. Please be mindful to keep a respectful distance from sheep.

Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock
Gallery